Port delays continue to plague road operators

Cross Country shifts the focus to fruit exports RAY SMUTS IF THERE is one industry the Western Cape is hardly short of it’s road haulage. And that’s hardly surprising as around one third of all export fruit is grown in this province. Those hauliers transporting fruit from inland cold stores to the Cape Town container terminal can testify to the frustration of sometimes having to wait for several hours to gain access, among them Cross Country Containers, the transport and logistics company based right within the port. “Until the terminal extension comes along - assuming, of course, the Department of Environmental Affairs gives the final nod to South African Port Operations - we are going to continue battling with delays,” says Cape branch manager Willem van der Worp. Cross Country Containers, with its fleet of seven 12-metre, and six 6-metre trailers (the company uses outsourced trucks and drivers), has hitherto focused on general cargo, covering the entire province. Only recently did it start transporting fruit, which now accounts for 20% of total business, but Van der Worp hopes to transform it into the major market within a year. As around 60% of Cross Country Containers’ volumes are exported - about 1 000 TEU a month - he shares the concerns of other exporters feeling the garrotte-like effect of a relentlessly strong currency. Ours is a huge market so competition is going to be tough out there. Our margins are extremely small, they always have been, and are not getting any better. Aside from growing Cross Country Containers’ share of fruit business, Van Der Worp, previously with P&O Nedlloyd for 22 years, hopes something can be done to minimise delays at the entrance to the container terminal. Oh, and he is intent on showing a profit this year.